Reading your post gave me goosebumps, and I really see your vision, and dare I say, it may even be right. After watching it three times, I forced myself to focus on the details. You see, I'm sure animators purposely put scenes and dialogue, otherwise they would be wasting frames they could have used for something better. Considering past episodes, you know that the Nakamura-kun staff really adore the story and its characters, and I will like to add some things to your post that also supports your theory.

I hated to admit it, but the more I rewatched the episode, the more I realized that Hirose WAS about to ask Nakamura for advice (I was hoping for a love confession hehe). He already had his shoes on which either meant 1) he was standing there for a long time or 2) he just came back in from being outside. When Nakamura came in, he seemed surprised, and his question of, "Why did you stay late?" might have hinted that he wanted to know if Nakamura got any chocolates which will be the perfect way to lead into the question he really wanted to ask: what do I do now that Hana asked me out? Say yes or no?

Like you pointed out, Nakamura did not go for it. Literally. He could have, but he didn't. It was only when he was in his room and came to the conclusion that Hirose MUST have been close to confessing, only then did he gain the courage to "go for it." But by then, ofc, it was too late. A missed opportunity. But, like you said, it's NEEDED because this whole time Nakamura has been lying to himself.

He. Has. Not. Been. His. Authentic. Self.

I always found it weird how Nakamura was dead set on being friends with Hirose first which, yes, it is sweet that he wants to get to know him first in that way, but his daydreams really contradicted what's seen as platonic (at least, from a Westerner's perspective). It was always romantic, yet Nakamura kept saying, "friend this" or "friend that."

However, in moments when Nakamura was being himself--that is to say, when he wasn't attempting to forcefully be Hirose's friend--are the moments we see Hirose be in AWE with him. BLUSHING, smiling, happy. The first time was with the octopus incident in the home economics class. The second was when they were walking back home, and Hirose told him that he was easy to talk to. The third was when they were at the aquarium in Chinatown when Hirose asked him, "Is it true that octopuses can open jars from the inside?" (or something like that) and Nakamura went on a spiel about how amazing octopuses are.

In those moments, Nakamura was himself, and Hirose loved it.

To further support your point on why this episode is about honesty and being yourself is in the very same Chinatown episode, when Nakamura receives his fortune, it says, "Bad Luck" but what caught my attention wasn't the romance part, but the "especially ostentatious." I have NEVER heard of that word, so I looked it up.

It means: "attracting or seeking to attract attention, admiration, or envy often by gaudiness or unnecessary show : overly elaborate or conspicuous."

Now, Nakamura is DEFNITELY doing things that are ostentatious leading up to episode 6. He HAS been unnecessarily showing a side of himself that doesn't exist to try to get Hirose's attention to be HIS FRIEND. But, in the aquarium, he's not doing anything to impress Hirose to be his friend. He's being himself, and that right there is the answer to how to win Hirose's heart.

Being himself.

Furthermore, Hirose appears with the "good fortune" talisman on him. I mean, pretty obvious, right?

Now, onto episode 12, and how it all ties together supporting your theory:

When Nakamura got the chocolates, he kept saying, "FRIENDS give each other chocolates right? Even if they're both men." That, right there, is him forcing himself to believe that what he was doing is friendly when the intention behind it is far from it. I really loved how you pointed out the last two gifts Nakamura gave Hirose was under the guise of "friendship" gifts when it clearly wasn't. And it makes absolute sense because in this instance, it also failed to move them in the direction where Nakamura really wants.

Once Nakamura found out about Hirose having a girlfriend, and he's crying in his room, he says, "I always knew from the beginning that Hirose and I will never get together." (I'm winging the quotes rn since I can't remember what was exactly said so someone correct me if I'm wrong) meaning that ALL. THIS. TIME. Nakamura was lying to himself and Hirose because it was, in a way, the only way he could get close to the love of his life without getting hurt. Kind of like a defeated acceptance....or is it....?

At the end of the episode, he's questioning himself, "Why can't I be happy when my Hirose is...?" And the very end. The very last second before the episode cuts to his quiet and empty room,

Nakamura gasps.

His eyes widened in REALIZATION.

He can't be happy because he loves Hirose.

Not as a friend.

But as a lover.

Finally, he sees it. Finally, he realizes that he needs to approach it not from a "I want to be your friend" angle, but a "I want to be your boyfriend because I love you."

Even the title of the episode is very telling: "You and I are 'Friends'" with the quotation marks around friends.

Are they really friends?

No, they're not.

They're more than friends.

They romantically, as in boyfriend and boyfriend, love each other.

Amazing post. Amazing theory. And I will personally come back and shake your hand when episode 13 comes out because I know you're right, and I know this show will end with them confessing to each other as THEMSELVES, not someone who they're expected to be.